Conor Gallagher ‘has a big chance at getting to the highest level’, claims Patrick Vieira… with Crystal Palace boss hailing Chelsea loanee as ‘a joy to work with’ after his excellent start
- Conor Gallagher has netted twice and laid on an assist already this season
- The midfielder won a penalty for Crystal Palace on Monday in Brighton draw
- The Chelsea loanee’s start to the season has earned him an England U21 call-up
- Eagles boss Patrick Vieira believes the 21-year-old can make it at the elite level
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has said he believes Conor Gallagher has what it takes to become a top player after the midfielder’s impressive start to the season.
The Chelsea loanee has started the season in superb form, with two goals against West Ham along with an assist against Tottenham, and impressed again on Monday night against Brighton, winning the penalty for the Eagles in the subsequent 1-1 draw.
This form has led to the 21-year-old picking up the club’s player of the month award for the second month in a row and another call-up to the England U21 squad.
Patrick Vieira believes Conor Gallagher (above) has what it takes to become a top player
Gallagher has impressed so far this season and won the penalty against Brighton on Monday
‘He’s a joy to work with,’ Vieira said.
‘His work ethic is fantastic, always positive and the way he is on the field, he is the same off it.
‘He’s fantastic as a person and it’s really good to have him at the club.’
After performing well while on loan at relegated West Bromwich Albion last season, Gallagher has upped his level once again with his recent performances, and ahead of the Eagles’ clash away to Leicester City on Sunday, his manager had nothing but praise for the 21-year-old.
‘I’m not surprised,’ Vieira said. ‘I strongly believe he has what it takes.
Crystal Palace boss Vieira insists the 21-year-old Chelsea loanee ‘is a joy to work with’
‘He still has parts of his game that he needs to improve, but when we’re doing feedback on his game, the way he takes in the information and the way he translates it after on the field shows me, he’s somebody that wants to improve.
‘Taking information in with detail allows him to be a more complete player and for that, he has a big chance at getting to the highest level.’
Victory for Vieira’s men on Sunday would be their second win of the season, leapfrogging opponents Leicester in the process.
The only injury concerns for Palace are Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson, who remain long-term absentees owing to Achilles’ tendon injuries.